Boston

The city of Boston is a testament to man’s triumph over the elements. Originally a small, waterlogged settlement on the coast of Massachusetts, the city has gradually grown into a teeming metropolis, and is the the only American capital with an oceanic shoreline.

The waterlogging was remedied by a combination of land reclamation and leveling the three hills that lay in the Tremont region. This has had the additional benefit of granting 23 tightly-knit neighbourhoods to Boston; which give the city its unique identity.

A working knowledge of the city’s cultural topography (or better yet - a friend from the South End) will help make the most of your time here.

The Boston Experience

Boston takes its sports very seriously. The Red Sox are obsessed over by half the population (and the other half are probably lying). While catching a game might not be everyone’s cup of tea (especially if you aren’t up for long discussions about rosters changes since 1918), you should make a stopover at Fenway Park during non-peak hours to see some of the lavish facilities (and loyal fans) enjoyed by the co-owners of Liverpool F.C.

Other notable sights include the Boston Common, a public park in the downtown region with a distinguished history, used variously for army camps, public executions and Vietnam War protests; as well as the New England Aquarium, which is home to over 20,000 fishes and aquatic mammals of over 600 separate species.

Those craving a touch of authentic Bostonian culture might like to saunter down to the Roxbury neighbourhood, where historical landmarks rub shoulders with art exhibits and a burgeoning music scene.

Bostonian cuisine prides itself on home-cooked delicacies with locally-sourced ingredients, particularly seafood and dairy; it is hard to go wrong with one of the many restaurants in the Seaport district that serve surf-and-turf and clam chowder.